Drinking straw including an ice trapping net

ABSTRACT

The invention includes a drinking straw with an inverted funnel-shaped net retained near a lower end of the straw. The net traps ice at the lower end of the straw to cool liquid drawn into the lower end of the straw.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/219,583 filed on Dec. 24, 2002, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes a drinking straw with an inverted funnel-shaped net retained near a lower end of the straw. The net traps ice at the lower end of the straw to cool liquid drawn into the lower end of the straw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the five steps necessary to put the drinking straw and ice trapping net assembly together.

FIG. 2 shows the top view of the straw (A), the bottom snug rubber washer (B), the plastic net (C), the top snug rubber washer (D), the drink lid (E), and soft-drink cup (F).

FIG. 3 shows the side view of the straw (A), the bottom snug rubber washer (B), the plastic net (C), the top snug rubber washer (D), the drink lid (E), and soft drink cup (F)>

FIG. 4. Shows the process in which the ICE-TRAP traps the ice, and a KEY to help the viewer identify the different parts of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the 5 steps necessary to put the ICE-TRAP together. Step 1: a plain straw (A), that would be at any common convenient store. Step 2: stretch the snug rubber washer (B), around the end of the straw. Then slide the snug rubber washer (B), approximately two inches from the bottom of the straw. Step 3: take the ICE-TRAP's plastic net (C), and allow the straw (A), to pass through the middle of it until the snug rubber washer (B), stops it at the other end of the straw. Step 4: place the snug rubber washer (D), through the top of the straw (A), like step three, except slide it down the straw (A), until it is about an inch above the plastic net (C). The last step in putting the ICE-TRAP together is simply puncturing the drink lid (E), through the bottom with the straw (A), then take the entire ICE-TRAP unit with the lid (E), and place it in the soft drink cup and watch it capture the ice and bring with the end of the straw to the bottom of the cup

FIG. 2 shows the top view of the straw (A), the bottom snug rubber washer (B), the plastic net (C), the top snug rubber washer (D), the drink lid (E), and soft-drink cup

FIG. 3 shows the side view of the straw (A), the bottom snug rubber washer (B), the plastic net (C), the top snug rubber washer (D), the drink lid (E), and soft-drink cup (E).

FIGS. 4-1-4-3 shows the process in which the ICE-TRAP traps the ice. There is also a KEY to help the viewer identify the different parts of the sketches. FIG. 4-1 shows the ICE-TRAP's initial plunge into the liquid and ice, immediately trapping ice as the straw makes it decent to the bottom of the cup. FIG. 4-2 shows the ice trapped in the ICE-TRAP's plastic net while the rest of the ice floats on the top distant from the end of the straw. FIG. 4-3 shows the ICE-TRAP resting at the bottom of the drink insulated by the cold ice trapped around the straws end.

REFERENCE LETTERS

-   A An Ordinary straw -   B Bottom Snug Rubber Washer -   C Plastic Net -   D Top Snug Rubber Washer -   E Soft Drink Lid -   F Soft Drink Cup

OPERATION

In operation use the ICE-TRAP in the same manner as a normal straw. As a result of the ICE-TRAP's presence, five effects take place:

1) Less ice is necessary since the ICE-TRAP keeps the ice where it is effective, around the end of the straw.

2) Since the ice is caught at the end of the straw, liquid is cooled immediately before it enters the straws

3) Since less ice is necessary, there is not as much melted ice to flatten and destroy the drink.

4) The drink ultimately lasts longer, stays cooler, and taste better than any soft drink that's being offered presently. The summer months make the ICE-TRAP's benefits that much more apparent.

5) The ICE-TRAP gives the seller a higher quality product that is cost effective and gives them the edge over any other soft-drink business. The ICE-TRAP gives the buyer a product that is going to last longer, be less flat, and give you the coolest drink possible.

It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. 

1) A drinking apparatus comprising a net and a straw, where the net is shaped like a funnel, its opening is bigger at one end and gets narrower as is gets to a straw opening, where the net is also at the middle so that the straw can slide through the middle, where the net can also be made at different sizes and of different material to fit the diameter of different cups. 2) The drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the net comprises holes. 3) The drinking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rubber washer, which fits tightly around the straw. 